I was skeptical because my headlights appeared to have internal cracking, normally called crazing by Porsche folks. But after using this kit I'm super pleased. Everything looks good. Six months ago I used the kit on my Toyota Sequoia, prior to chancing it on my 2015 Boxster S. The Sequoia is still really clear after six months. Thanks!
Your timing is perfect!! I have a car whose headlights need some work, and I've been researching it!! Great video, and I'll have to check out Griot's kit.
Great video. I am curious, what is the point of the oxidation remover if three levels of sanding happen subsequently? Seems like the sanding is taking off the top layer of the headlight covering.
After you do the restoration, install some Lamin-x or an actual protective film. The adhesive will mold into the surface imperfections and clear up the headlight even more. It will also keep the cloudiness from coming back for as long as the film lasts (at least 5 years with regular maintenance).
Great DIY video! Unfortunately to my wife’s despair, I’ve never kept a car long enough for the headlights to haze. 😳 That being said, I have restored friends’ headlights with the Griot kit. Great product.
I've been driving the same 1996 993 for 15 years and have had no problems with the headlight lenses--that's because they are real glass, not this plastic stuff.
Unfortunately my 996.1 is now an outdoor dog :( and the sun has beat her up. The headlight resto and replacing the trim is first on my to do list of the every growing list. I'll give the Griots Garage kit a try. Thanks for posting!
I replaced my headlight fixtures on a 2004 Cayenne earlier this year--insulation on the internal wiring was crumbling off and getting intermittent fault warnings but the old lenses were yellow and foggy. Is it advisable to use this ceramic coating on the new lenses at this time as a protectant? Or other coating?
You made that look easy and fun. My question is can you extend the effectiveness of the process by periodically applying a fresh coat of the ceramic product? The fact that some of these processes only last a few years is confusing. It takes so many years for the lenses to cloud up, but only a few years for it to happen again.
The headlight lens is typically made of polycarbonate (Lexan). Polycarbonate is sensitive to scratching, so it is treated with an abrasion resistant coating that usually lasts for many years. However once the abrasion resistant coating wears off, headlight kits like Griots are required to restore clarity to the surface. The headlight kit will need to be repeated because it does not restore the abrasion resistant coating and the lens continues to be damaged from the elements and road grit.
My problem with the headlights on my Cayman S is that there are kinda dots on the inside not on the outside. It almost looks like the brightness of the bulbs burnt dust particles into the inside of the lens. The dots are directly in front where the light beams through. Auto has PDLS. I would like a fix for this, if there is any.
Did the housings have the "crazing" (small bird foot shaped cracks) that is prevalent on the Caymans? I'm looking to do this on my GT4, but can't tell if the cracks are in some surface level coating, or if its the lens itself cracking, which wouldn't be able to get sanded out.
Crazed headlights will not be completely renewed by sanding as they are full thickness defects and therefore too deep to eliminate. Complete headlight cover replacement like the service we offer is what is needed to restore the OEM quality look and function of the headlights. Replacement covers also come with a UV and scratch protection coating like the originals.
I would argue that removing the headlights is the easiest in this gen of Porsche (Boxster, Cayenne, and 911). Though the point about having it anchored when you need to sand is really very valid. It is an odd shape.
Do these headlights ever hit a point of no return? I am shopping first gen macans and they all have these chalky white headlights. I am assuming they can be repaired but also wonder why the dealer would not simply fix this so they don't look like crap on their lot if it was repairable.
Don't bother. I bought this exact kit and applied it to my daily driver 996 about a week after this was posted. Yesterday I noticed that the coating is already coming off in big spots on my headlights. So I'd say this will last you maybe 6 months if your car spends much time in the Sun.
Doing headlights this way is garantee they will oxidize again. A better way is to sand and and then apply some good clear coat like Eastwood 2k Aerosol Spray | Clear coat. This will last too years.
Been there done that. Lasted less than a year. Maybe because it’s a daily driver and never garaged. Tried the Cerakote kit and so far, four months in, it still looks like the day I applied it.
@@carrerados I have some of the Eastwood 2K spray, and planned on doing the orbital sanding and clearcoat. I don't see how this would only last a year, based on everything I have read about the product. Are you absolutely sure you applied it correctly
I used the Spraymax 2k clearcoat headlight kit 2 years ago, and it still looks great. It included primer made for the plastic lenses. It did produce more orange peel than I hoped, but that could buff out if you had a polisher.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I was skeptical because my headlights appeared to have internal cracking, normally called crazing by Porsche folks. But after using this kit I'm super pleased. Everything looks good. Six months ago I used the kit on my Toyota Sequoia, prior to chancing it on my 2015 Boxster S. The Sequoia is still really clear after six months. Thanks!
Glad it worked out for you as well!
Awesome video as always. Keep up the good work, Vu! Happy Holidays!!
Happy holidays! Thank you for the kind words. Always do🙌
Your timing is perfect!! I have a car whose headlights need some work, and I've been researching it!! Great video, and I'll have to check out Griot's kit.
You can do it!
Love the Griots Ceramic Kit! Best $30 you can spend on your car!
It really is! Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for future content.
do you need 2 kits, one for each lens? or can you alternate between each operation and use the pads and coating before they dry up.
One kit was enough to restore both headlights. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for future Porsche content.
Great video. I am curious, what is the point of the oxidation remover if three levels of sanding happen subsequently? Seems like the sanding is taking off the top layer of the headlight covering.
Not sure other than the results made it worth following the instructions.
I picked up the Cerakote kit, and is similar in process. I might have time finally this weekend to tackle the lenses. Great video!
You can do it!
After you do the restoration, install some Lamin-x or an actual protective film. The adhesive will mold into the surface imperfections and clear up the headlight even more. It will also keep the cloudiness from coming back for as long as the film lasts (at least 5 years with regular maintenance).
🙌
Great DIY video!
Unfortunately to my wife’s despair, I’ve never kept a car long enough for the headlights to haze. 😳
That being said, I have restored friends’ headlights with the Griot kit. Great product.
Too funny!
I've been driving the same 1996 993 for 15 years and have had no problems with the headlight lenses--that's because they are real glass, not this plastic stuff.
Unfortunately my 996.1 is now an outdoor dog :( and the sun has beat her up. The headlight resto and replacing the trim is first on my to do list of the every growing list. I'll give the Griots Garage kit a try. Thanks for posting!
Take your time and good luck!
I recently acquired a 996.1 also (amber lights), and the headlights are definitely in need of some TLC...How did this method go for you?
How do you restore the lenses inside the headlights on let's say a Boxster for being burnt
Terrific!!! On my To Do List! THANKS!! RG
Good luck!
Just in time to put in the stocking of your favorite Porsche enthusiast!
Indeed!
Does the ceramic coating have any UV protection? That is usually the cause of failure
In did it does, Cerakote can protect surfaces from UV.
I replaced my headlight fixtures on a 2004 Cayenne earlier this year--insulation on the internal wiring was crumbling off and getting intermittent fault warnings but the old lenses were yellow and foggy. Is it advisable to use this ceramic coating on the new lenses at this time as a protectant? Or other coating?
We wouldn't you don't want to cover the factory lens coating.
You made that look easy and fun. My question is can you extend the effectiveness of the process by periodically applying a fresh coat of the ceramic product? The fact that some of these processes only last a few years is confusing. It takes so many years for the lenses to cloud up, but only a few years for it to happen again.
The headlight lens is typically made of polycarbonate (Lexan). Polycarbonate is sensitive to scratching, so it is treated with an abrasion resistant coating that usually lasts for many years. However once the abrasion resistant coating wears off, headlight kits like Griots are required to restore clarity to the surface. The headlight kit will need to be repeated because it does not restore the abrasion resistant coating and the lens continues to be damaged from the elements and road grit.
My problem with the headlights on my Cayman S is that there are kinda dots on the inside not on the outside. It almost looks like the brightness of the bulbs burnt dust particles into the inside of the lens. The dots are directly in front where the light beams through. Auto has PDLS. I would like a fix for this, if there is any.
Did the housings have the "crazing" (small bird foot shaped cracks) that is prevalent on the Caymans? I'm looking to do this on my GT4, but can't tell if the cracks are in some surface level coating, or if its the lens itself cracking, which wouldn't be able to get sanded out.
Crazed headlights will not be completely renewed by sanding as they are full thickness defects and therefore too deep to eliminate. Complete headlight cover replacement like the service we offer is what is needed to restore the OEM quality look and function of the headlights. Replacement covers also come with a UV and scratch protection coating like the originals.
I would argue that removing the headlights is the easiest in this gen of Porsche (Boxster, Cayenne, and 911). Though the point about having it anchored when you need to sand is really very valid. It is an odd shape.
agreed. We took the headlights out 3 years ago and the restoration process wasn't as easy as this time.
Do these headlights ever hit a point of no return? I am shopping first gen macans and they all have these chalky white headlights. I am assuming they can be repaired but also wonder why the dealer would not simply fix this so they don't look like crap on their lot if it was repairable.
We've done it at least four times and the keep coming back. At some point you might rather buy new ones and install if they don't come back for you.
Make sure ya change water your dippin into, btwn grit....
Thanks for the tip! Be sure to subscribe.
I wouldn't be so aggressive to start with. Clean, and use a mild polishing compound with an orbital buffer to start.
Thanks Craig. The Cayenne lights were quite rough so 1000 grit got the job done.
Now your running on all 6 cylinders!
Eight actually :). Thanks for watching.
Don't bother. I bought this exact kit and applied it to my daily driver 996 about a week after this was posted. Yesterday I noticed that the coating is already coming off in big spots on my headlights. So I'd say this will last you maybe 6 months if your car spends much time in the Sun.
Thanks for sharing. The Cayenne in this video sits outside, 24/7. So far it's still holding up.
Doing headlights this way is garantee they will oxidize again. A better way is to sand and and then apply some good clear coat like
Eastwood 2k Aerosol Spray | Clear coat.
This will last too years.
Been there done that. Lasted less than a year. Maybe because it’s a daily driver and never garaged. Tried the Cerakote kit and so far, four months in, it still looks like the day I applied it.
@@carrerados I have some of the Eastwood 2K spray, and planned on doing the orbital sanding and clearcoat. I don't see how this would only last a year, based on everything I have read about the product. Are you absolutely sure you applied it correctly
I used the Spraymax 2k clearcoat headlight kit 2 years ago, and it still looks great. It included primer made for the plastic lenses. It did produce more orange peel than I hoped, but that could buff out if you had a polisher.
2k clear. last alot longer